Abstract: A robotic medical system that includes a quick-connect/disconnect feature to facilitate the connecting and disconnecting of a robotic medical arm to and from a set-up arm is disclosed. The robotic medical system includes a robotic medical arm including an interface having a downward-oriented hook located at an upper portion thereof, and an electrical connector located at a lower portion thereof. The system further includes a set-up arm including an interface having an upward-oriented hook located at an upper portion thereof, and an electrical connector located at a lower portion thereof. To connect the robotic medical arm to the set-up arm, a user links the downward-oriented hook to the upward-oriented hook, and pivots the robotic medical arm until the respective electrical connectors mate with each other. To disconnect the robotic medical arm from the set-up arm, a user pivots the robotic medical arm to disconnect the electrical connectors, and then de-links the hooks.

Abstract: A telescopic insertion axis, a robotic surgical system including the telescopic insertion axis, and a method of instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, a telescopic insertion axis includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including an instrument interface.

Abstract: An instrument interface of a robotic manipulator and a surgical system including the instrument interface are provided. In one embodiment, the instrument interface includes a spring-loaded input for providing axial load and torque to a sterile adaptor capable of operably coupling an instrument. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator system includes a manipulator assembly, including a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including an integrated instrument interface. The system further includes an instrument operably coupled to the carriage link via the instrument interface, and a processor operably coupled to the manipulator assembly for sensing presence of the instrument.

Abstract: A haptic feedback device including a fluid viscosity-controlled brake that outputs high forces to the device user at low cost while maintaining inherent safety. An interface device includes a manipulandum physically contacted by the user. A sensor senses a position of the manipulandum and outputs a sensor signal. The interface device also includes a brake including a field-controlled fluid having a viscosity that can be controlled by controlling an electric current in a coil, where a resistive force or drag on the manipulandum is controlled by controlling the fluid's viscosity. The fluid can be an electrorheological fluid controlled by an electric field or a magnetorheological fluid controlled by a magnetic field. In one preferred embodiment, the resistive force is controlled by adjusting a degree of contact of the brake with the manipulandum based on the fluid's viscosity.

Abstract: Telerobotic, telesurgical, and/or surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods employ surgical robotic linkages that may have more degrees of freedom than an associated surgical end effector n space. A processor can calculate a tool motion that includes pivoting of the tool about an aperture site. Linkages movable along a range of configurations for a given end effector position may be driven toward configurations which inhibit collisions. Refined robotic linkages and method for their use are also provided.

Abstract: Directional haptic feedback for a haptic feedback interface device. A haptic feedback interface device, in communication with a host computer, includes a housing physically contacted by a user operating the interface device, and a plurality of actuators producing inertial forces when the actuators are driven by control signals. Each of the actuators includes a rotatable eccentric mass positioned offset on a rotating shaft of the actuator, where the actuators are rotated simultaneously such that centrifugal forces from the rotation of masses combine to output the inertial forces substantially only along a single axis having a desired direction approximately in a plane of rotation of the masses.

Abstract: A sterile adaptor, a sterile drape with the integrated sterile adaptor, and a telerobotic surgical system including the sterile drape with a drape interface are provided. The adaptor, drape, and system allow for draping portions of a telerobotic surgical system to maintain a sterile barrier between the sterile surgical field and the non-sterile robotic system while also providing an interface for transferring mechanical and electrical energy and signals between a robotic arm and a surgical instrument in the sterile field.

Abstract: An interface device providing haptic feedback to a user is in communication with a host computer. The device includes a housing, at least one sensor for detecting user input, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a grounded flexure suspension coupled to an inertial mass which moves when the actuator assembly is energized to cause inertial sensations. The inertial mass includes a pole piece surrounding a magnet, and a grounded coil between magnet and pole piece causes the motion of the inertial mass when current is flowed therethrough. Another embodiment provides directional haptic feedback to a user and includes at least two actuator assemblies oriented such that the inertial masses oscillate substantially orthogonally, and can be controlled to output the inertial sensations approximately along a single axis having a desired orientation.

Abstract: A surgical accessory clamp, method of use, and a robotic surgical system including the clamp are disclosed. A surgical accessory may be attached and removed from a manipulator arm during a surgical procedure without requiring the use of an intermediate sterile accessory clamp, thus removing the need for a detachable accessory mount or adaptor that needs cleaning and sterilization and allowing for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The present invention further allows for easy removal and attachment of instruments, tools, or accessories to the robotic surgical system without breach of sterility.

Abstract: A sterile drape with integrated sterile adaptor, a telerobotic surgical system, and method of use are provided for draping portions of a telerobotic surgical system to maintain a sterile barrier between the sterile surgical field and the non-sterile robotic system while also providing an interface for transferring mechanical and electrical energy and signals.

Abstract: A force feedback wheel is provided on a mouse or other interface device manipulated by a user. A sensor detects a position of the mouse in a workspace and sends a position signal to a connected host computer indicating that position. A rotatable wheel is mounted upon the manipulandum and rotates about a wheel axis, where a wheel sensor provides a wheel signal to the host computer indicating a rotary position of the wheel. A wheel actuator coupled to the rotatable wheel applies a computer-modulated force to the wheel about the wheel axis. The mouse can be a standard mouse or a force-feedback mouse, where forces are applied in the mouse workspace. The host computer is preferably running a graphical environment, where the force applied to the wheel can correspond with an event or interaction displayed in the graphical environment. The wheel can also be included on other devices such as remote controls and radios.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling vibrotactile sensations for haptic feedback devices. An actuator in a haptic feedback device includes a rotatable eccentric mass, and information is received at the haptic feedback device causing a drive signal. The drive signal controls the actuator to oscillate the mass in two directions about an axis of rotation of the actuator such that the oscillation of the mass induces a vibration in the haptic feedback device. The magnitude and frequency of the vibration can be independently controlled by adjusting a magnitude and a frequency, respectively, of the drive signal. The vibrations can also be provided in a bi-directional mode or uni-directional mode to provide the most efficient magnitude of the vibrotactile sensations. The haptic feedback device can be, for example, a gamepad controller receiving commands from a host computer providing a graphical environment.

Abstract: Power management for an interface device that is manipulated by a user and in communication with a host computer and provides forces to the user. The device includes a sensor and an actuator. One embodiment provides first power from the host computer over a serial interface and second power from a power adapter. Another embodiment provides first power from the host computer and second power from a power storage device on the interface device that supplies power to the actuator. Another embodiment provides a power adapter supplying a portion of the first power to the sensor and a portion to the actuator, and a power storage device on the interface device provides second power to the actuator.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises a resistive element positionable on a first surface. A pair of leads are on the resistive element, the pair of leads adapted to supply a first voltage, such as by being grounded. An intermediate lead is positioned on the resistive element between the pair of leads, the intermediate lead being adapted to provide a second voltage. A contact element is positionable on a second surface, the contact element adapted to contact at least a portion of the resistive element to detect a voltage at a contact position, the detected voltage being related to the position or movement of the second surface relative to the first surface. In another version, a position sensor comprises a resistive element comprising first and second resistive strips. A plurality of leads are positioned on each resistive strip to provide a voltage to each resistive strip.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for position slip in interface devices that may occur between a manipulandum and a sensor of the device due to a mechanical transmission. A device position delta is determined from a sensed position of a manipulandum of an interface device. It is determined if position slip has occurred caused by a change in position of the manipulandum that was not sensed by a sensor of the interface device, typically caused by a mechanical transmission between sensor and manipulandum. If position slip has occurred, an error in the sensed position caused by the position slip is corrected by adjusting the sensed position to take into account the position slip. The adjusted position delta is used as the position of the manipulandum and the display of objects controlled by the interface device are accordingly compensated.

Abstract: A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Abstract: A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.